Plans to redevelop the former St. Scholastica property at 615 Pike Ave. will be presented to the Cañon City Council during Monday's regular meeting.

The potential buyer, Michael Butler of Colorado Springs, presented information on the project to the Cañon City Planning Commission in July. The commission denied Butler's request by a 3-2 vote to rezone the property from R-2, Medium Residential Density in the Transitional Mixed-Use Overlay, to R-3, High Residential Density in the TMU.

The commissioners indicated the denial didn't mean they're not in favor of the project, they simply wanted to see more clarification on information that was presented.

Steven Savage, the marketing director and coordinator for the project, said he and Butler were not prepared with an official presentation in July, but on Monday, they will be more than ready. Savage said he plans to have a full presentation and information addressing all concerns and questions that have been presented to him and the City.

Savage said some of the opposition expressed toward the project stems from lack of information or misinformation.

"I think, on our part, we didn't provide sufficient information," he said. "What I'm trying to do is present our objective and our vision to the community, work with the community, and help preserve as much of the history of the school as we can, but also offer something to the community that is severely lacking. We have a lot of plans for the entire property."

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Some neighboring property owners have said they believe the proposed density is too high compared to the surrounding neighborhood, and others have expressed concerns about vehicular traffic and parking demands.

Savage said some people want to see the property used as a boarding school again.

"They have this vision of what it used to be, and I understand that, but looking at today's scenario, it's a property that is in neglect," he said. "It has a serious health hazard associated with it now, and we're looking at it as a business venture, yes, but we're trying to work with the neighbors and the community to bring the property into the current time frame. It will never be restored to its original condition (as a school) — the historic building will be, that's our goal."

The restoration of the historic building's exterior will be the second phase of the project. It will be turned into eight higher-end apartments. This portion of the project also requires a new roof and pigeon removal.

"We've already got people inquiring about it and wanting us to reserve an apartment for them," Savage said.

Phase two also will include the beginning renovations of the existing facilities. Savage said the potential owner would like to extend access to the property's indoor pool, 204-seat theater, gymnasium, tennis courts and weight room to the public, and a planned community garden also would be available to the neighbors.

"We want to give something back to the community," he said. "We don't just want to take something, we want to give something back, too."

The existing classrooms next to the theater and the tennis courts likely would be converted into ADA apartments.

Phase two would take eight to nine months to complete.

Phase one includes a plan for the dormitory to be converted into 40, one- and two-bedroom affordable, ADA-accessible apartments. The time frame for this phase is six to eight months.

The major concern is the asbestos problem which will cost between $800,000 and $1 million for clean up.

There are currently more than 40 names on the waiting list for these apartments, Savage said, and rentals will be from $650-$850 per month.

"This is a fantastic project not only for the immediate neighborhood, but for the City for Cañon City as a whole," Savage said. "We do have grand plans for it, but we do need cooperation from the community as a whole."

The third phase is where the requirement for a zone change from R-2 to R-3 comes in. It will include building 32, two- and three-bedroom townhomes (consisting of eight, four-plex units) that will be marketed to younger families in the price range of $139,000 to $165,000.

Savage said prices will be "affordable" housing, not "low-income housing." No Section 8 vouchers will be accepted, and none of the living units will be government subsidized. The entire project is privately funded.

"I think the big problem is that people just don't understand what is low income and what is affordable housing," he said. "Low income is 60 percent of the average median household income; which means it is probably below poverty level. Affordable housing is where people go to work, they pay their rent or mortgage and they enjoy it — they want to come to a quiet, relaxing place."

Current zoning allows for 92 units overall, Savage said, but the fourplexes will allow the developer to keep some of the open space in the middle of the complex for the tenants and homeowners to enjoy, rather than taking up more space with duplexes.

"This will provide a clean, safe environment; we are getting rid of the health hazard, we're reducing the amount of crime that's in this area because now we're getting rid of the homeless, we're getting rid of the drugs, vagrants, partiers and vandals," Savage said. "It's also going to provide a tax base for the community as a whole."

All parking would be within the complex, and off the street. Between 70 and 80 percent of the labor will be hired locally.

The entire project is scheduled to take between two and two and a half years, at a total cost of $6 million to $8 million.

Savage said the letters and feedback he has received on the project are three to one in favor. He invites the community to view his presentation during Monday's city council meeting at 6 p.m. at John D. Havens City Hall, located at 128 Main St. He especially would like those in support of the project to share their stance with the council.

"We welcome anybody in favor of the project, as well as anyone opposed to it, we want to hear everybody's version, but we can not adequately serve each and every individual's private wishes," he said. "It's a project I really believe in, and I think this is something the city really needs. It's a project that is doable and I think it's a project that once it's completed, people will be proud of."

Butler is slated to close on the property next week. Progress will be updated on a website developed to show progress and offer information.

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